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Volkswagen and NVIDIA today shared their vision for how AI and deep learning will shape the development of a new generation of intelligent Volkswagen vehicles. At the kickoff of the 2018 International CES, Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang discussed on stage how AI is transforming the auto industry and highlighted the new I.D. BUZZ, Volkswagen’s exciting new rebirth of the iconic Volkswagen MicroBus, reimagined in electric car form and infused with AI technology for the cockpit and self-driving.

“Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the car,†Diess said. “Autonomous driving, zero tailpipe emission mobility and digital networking are virtually impossible without advances in AI and deep learning. Combining the imagination of Volkswagen with NVIDIA, the leader in AI technology, enables us to take a big step into the future.â€

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3BjB5-Y4JM

“In just a few years, every new vehicle should have AI assistants for voice, gesture and facial recognition as well as augmented reality,†Huang said. “Working with Volkswagen, we are creating a new generation of cars that are safer, more enjoyable to ride in than anything that has come before, and accessible to everyone.â€

A man working on his laptop and writing in a notebook at a desk.

Focus on Intelligent Co-Pilot Capabilities

One exciting potential outcome of AI infusion into Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ are “Intelligent Co-Pilot†capabilities, which will include convenience and driver assistance systems based on processing sensor data from both inside and outside of the car. The systems can be enhanced throughout the life of the vehicle via software updates, and can gain new capabilities as further developments are made in autonomous driving. Thanks to deep learning, the car of the future will learn to accurately assess situations and analyze the behavior of others on the road, enabling it to make the right decisions.

Building on the NVIDIA DRIVEâ„¢ IX Intelligent Experience platform, AI-enabled features such as facial recognition for unlocking the vehicle from the outside, driver alerts for bicycles, gesture recognition for user controls, natural language understanding for voice control, and gaze tracking for driver distraction alerts are all possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=71&v=nxCsPMcke0g

Volkswagens path to Autonomous Driving

The I.D. BUZZ is part of the I.D. family¹with which Volkswagen will launch its electric car campaign and gradually introduce autonomous driving capabilities starting in 2020. More than 20 fully electric vehicles are planned by 2025 toward its goal of becoming the world leader in this area.

These new models are based on the completely new MEB car architecture that is consistently geared towards zero-tailpipe emission, digital mobility and make use of the electric drive’s overall package benefits. Using a battery that is integrated flat in the chassis floor, and a compact drive system, they offer a generous and highly variable interior. To this end, pioneering technologies are anticipated to be available from the electric compact car segment, such as the operating concept featuring an augmented-reality head-up display. From the start, the models based on the MEB architecture are planned to offer the very latest driver assistance systems to be prepared for the respective levels of autonomous driving that are available. The MEB electronic systems will also be gradually introduced to vehicles with conventional drive systems that are based on the MQB architecture.

 

INTELLIGENT MOBILITY

GM Debuts a New Digital Interface for Its 2027 Pickup Trucks

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General Motors is introducing a completely redesigned digital interface for its pickup trucks. The system debuts on the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra with cleaner graphics, smarter layouts and improved access to key vehicle functions.

Rather than treating the infotainment system as a standalone screen, GM has developed a common software and design foundation intended to work across gasoline, diesel and electric vehicles.

The goal is straightforward: make everyday interactions faster while giving drivers more information without overwhelming them.

A Cleaner Interface Keeps Important Information Visible

GM says the new system was developed around customer feedback, with an emphasis on reducing complexity. The interface uses high-contrast displays designed to improve visual clarity across navigation, vehicle information and entertainment.

The biggest change is the redesigned home screen. Instead of forcing drivers to switch between applications, the default layout uses a split view with an interactive map alongside other information.

The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado introduces GM’s new digital cockpit and redesigned infotainment experience.

Drivers can keep navigation visible while checking media, fuel economy or trailering information. That setup is particularly useful in a pickup, where towing and vehicle data can be just as important as entertainment.

The system is also designed to make frequently used functions easier to reach without burying them inside complicated menus.

The Driver Display Changes With the Situation

GM is also introducing different digital cluster layouts depending on what the driver is doing.

For example, the display can prioritize trailering information when a trailer is attached or change its presentation when off-road driving features are being used. Super Cruise users will also receive a dedicated view.

That means the digital instrument cluster is no longer simply showing speed, fuel level and warning lights. It becomes a configurable tool that adapts to the task at hand.

GM’s new digital cockpit uses different layouts for functions such as trailering, off-road driving and Super Cruise.

One of the most ambitious additions is a new 3D driving visualization for Super Cruise. The system can display surrounding traffic, lane markings and other road objects with additional visual depth.

That gives drivers a clearer representation of what the vehicle’s driver-assistance system is detecting around it.

GM Simplifies Hands-Free Driving Controls

GM is also reducing the number of steps required to activate its driver-assistance technology.

Adaptive Cruise Control and Super Cruise can be engaged with a single button press, giving drivers a more direct way to activate the systems.

At the same time, the company is keeping physical controls for important functions. That matters because not every driver wants to rely entirely on a touchscreen while operating a large pickup.

The new GM interface combines touchscreen controls with physical controls for commonly used vehicle functions.

The quick-access menu can also be personalized. Drivers can organize the controls and applications they use most frequently, while climate, audio and camera functions remain readily available.

Vehicle settings can be reached through a dedicated Quick Access window rather than requiring drivers to dig through multiple menus.

The New Interface Debuts on Silverado and Sierra

GM is introducing the new system first on its highest-volume light-duty pickups: the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra. From there, the company plans to expand the interface across its broader vehicle portfolio.

The strategy gives GM a common digital foundation that can be adapted to multiple powertrains and vehicle types.

The 2027 Silverado already demonstrates how extensive that technology integration can become. The truck offers a large edge-to-edge display setup, with a 16.3-inch center screen and 12.2-inch driver information display across the lineup. Higher trims can add an 11.5-inch passenger screen, creating more than 60 inches of total digital display area.

GM Wants Technology to Stay Out of the Driver’s Way

The bigger story behind the GM pickup truck infotainment update is not simply larger screens. GM is trying to make digital technology feel less complicated while still giving drivers access to more information.

That balance is increasingly important as automakers add software, connectivity and advanced driver assistance to trucks.

Moreover, the company is keeping tactile controls where they make sense rather than forcing every function onto a touchscreen. The result should be a more flexible system for drivers with different preferences.

The new interface is an important step in GM’s broader push toward software-defined vehicles. By introducing it first on the 2027 Silverado and Sierra, the company is using its most important pickup models as the starting point for a digital experience that could eventually spread across the entire lineup.

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INTELLIGENT MOBILITY

Waymo Brings Fully Autonomous Ride-Hailing to Las Vegas

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Waymo has officially started offering fully autonomous rides to the public in Las Vegas. The launch marks the company’s first robotaxi service in Nevada as it expands across the U.S.

Waymo has officially started offering autonomous ride-hailing in Las Vegas, opening another major U.S. market for its robotaxi service. The launch marks the company’s first public robotaxi operation in Nevada and expands its footprint into one of the country’s busiest tourism destinations.

The company began welcoming public riders on September 14, with service initially covering a nearly 24-mile operating area. The expansion follows months of testing and validation on Las Vegas roads.

Waymo says it will gradually give access to more riders across Clark County as the service expands.

Waymo Starts Public Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas launch puts Waymo directly into another highly visible U.S. market for autonomous transportation. Residents and visitors can request fully autonomous rides through the Waymo service, with the operating area covering parts of the city and the Las Vegas Strip.

The company has also positioned the service around major destinations such as Allegiant Stadium and The Venetian. That makes Las Vegas a particularly important test for autonomous ride-hailing because traffic patterns can vary dramatically between neighborhoods, hotels, entertainment venues and major events.

Waymo is now offering fully autonomous public rides across a designated service area in Las Vegas.

Waymo had previously been testing in the city with autonomous specialists onboard. The company has now moved to public passenger operations without a human driver controlling the vehicle.

That transition represents an important step as Waymo continues expanding beyond its more established robotaxi markets.

The Ojai Becomes Waymo’s Las Vegas Robotaxi

Las Vegas is also part of Waymo’s rollout of its newest vehicle platform, known as Ojai. The robotaxi uses Waymo’s sixth-generation Driver technology and is designed specifically around the passenger experience.

The company says the Ojai offers a more spacious cabin, larger screens and additional customization options for riders.

Waymo’s Ojai robotaxi uses the company’s sixth-generation autonomous driving system in Las Vegas.

The vehicle is intended to make the autonomous experience feel more like a conventional ride-hailing service, only without a human driver behind the wheel.

Las Vegas joins Denver and San Diego as early cities for Waymo’s majority-Ojai fleet deployment, according to the company.

Waymo Faces Growing Robotaxi Competition

The Las Vegas launch also increases competition in an increasingly crowded autonomous ride-hailing market. Waymo is competing against companies including Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla as automakers and technology firms push toward commercial self-driving services.

Zoox had already begun offering paid public rides in Las Vegas before Waymo’s launch. That gave the city an unusual position as one of the first U.S. markets where multiple autonomous ride-hailing operators are competing for passengers.

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi network as competition from other autonomous ride-hailing companies intensifies.

Waymo has been expanding rapidly in 2026. The company began welcoming public riders in Denver, San Diego and Tampa earlier this month, adding to an expanding network of U.S. cities.

The company’s latest expansion reflects its broader strategy of moving autonomous transportation from limited testing programs into everyday commercial service.

Las Vegas Could Be a Major Test for Autonomous Driving

The Waymo Las Vegas launch is significant because of the city’s unique driving environment. A large tourist population, busy entertainment districts, major sporting events and constantly changing traffic conditions create a demanding environment for an autonomous vehicle.

Waymo says it has been preparing for the launch for years and has extensively validated its system on Las Vegas roads. The company also says its sixth-generation Driver has accumulated more than 200 million fully autonomous miles across its broader operations.

Moreover, the company plans to gradually expand access rather than immediately opening the entire market to every potential rider.

Waymo Expands Its U.S. Robotaxi Ambitions

The move into Las Vegas represents another major step for Waymo as it expands autonomous ride-hailing across the United States. The company is already operating in a growing number of cities and recently added Denver, San Diego and Tampa to its public service network.

For Las Vegas, the arrival of Waymo means visitors and residents now have access to another fully autonomous transportation option. For the company, it provides an opportunity to prove that its technology can operate reliably in one of America’s most complicated and heavily traveled tourist cities.

The Waymo Las Vegas launch therefore represents more than another city on a map. It is another real-world test of whether autonomous ride-hailing can become a normal part of everyday transportation in the United States.

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INTELLIGENT MOBILITY

How Cadillac Builds a Custom Formula 1 Driver Seat

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Every Cadillac Formula 1 driver gets a seat built specifically for their body. Here is how the team creates, tests and refines one before it reaches the track.

A Formula 1 car has countless components designed to maximize performance, but few are more personal than the driver’s seat. The Cadillac F1 driver seat must hold the driver securely through enormous G-forces while remaining comfortable throughout an entire race.

The fit has to be extremely precise. A seat that is too loose can allow excessive movement and increase fatigue, while one that is too tight can make a full race physically painful.

Cadillac recently showed the complete process behind creating one of its bespoke F1 seats, from the initial body mold to the final trackside adjustments.

The Process Starts With the Driver’s Body

The first step takes place at General Motors’ Charlotte Technical Center. The driver sits inside the Formula 1 chassis on top of a plastic bag while a technician fills it with a liquid mixture.

The material expands and hardens around the driver’s body, creating a detailed physical mold. That foam shape can then be measured precisely and converted into a digital representation of the finished seat.

Cadillac creates an individual mold around the driver to capture the precise shape required for the F1 seat.

Once the digital model has been finalized, the physical seat can be manufactured.

This approach allows the team to reproduce the driver’s seating position with a high level of accuracy before making any final adjustments at the track.

Cadillac Uses Flax-Based Material Instead of Carbon Fiber

The actual seat is produced at Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s facility near Silverstone in the United Kingdom.

Unlike many components of an F1 car, the seat is not made from carbon fiber. Cadillac instead uses a natural flax-based fiber weave.

The material provides an important advantage for the driver. According to the team, it does a better job of isolating the cockpit occupant from the intense vibrations produced by the race car.

Cadillac manufactures its F1 seats from a flax-based fiber weave designed to improve vibration isolation.

That means material selection is about more than simply minimizing weight. The seat also plays an important role in driver comfort and fatigue management.

In Formula 1, even small improvements can make a difference over a long race distance.

Valtteri Bottas Puts the Seat to the Test

With the seat completed, Cadillac takes it to the circuit for a real-world fitting session.

At the British Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas climbed into his new bespoke seat inside the team’s garage. Rather than simply accepting the first version, Bottas provided feedback on how it felt and where changes were needed.

The seat was then returned to the factory so the team could make precise modifications.

Valtteri Bottas test-fits his bespoke Cadillac F1 seat during the British Grand Prix weekend.

Engineers can add or remove material in specific areas until the fit is exactly right. That iterative process is essential because the driver needs both stability and comfort while remaining securely positioned inside the cockpit.

Once the adjustments were complete, Bottas had a finished seat ready for competition.

A Custom Seat Is a Performance Component

The Cadillac F1 driver seat may look relatively simple compared with an engine, suspension system or aerodynamic package, but its importance is difficult to overstate.

The seat determines how securely the driver is held during braking, cornering and acceleration. It also helps manage the physical demands created by the car’s vibrations and G-forces.

Moreover, every driver has different requirements. That is why Cadillac does not simply produce one standard seat and install it across its cars.

From Digital Scan to the Race Track

The entire process combines driver-specific fitting, digital modeling, specialized materials and repeated testing. It begins with a mold of the driver’s body and ends with a component that is refined through direct feedback from the cockpit.

For Bottas, the final step came almost immediately. After the fitting process was completed, he used the new seat during Free Practice 1 at the British Grand Prix.

That makes the Cadillac F1 driver seat a perfect example of how Formula 1 performance is built from details that spectators rarely see. The car may be engineered at the limits of technology, but ultimately, one of its most important components has to fit one person perfectly.

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